America’s Got Talent’s teen boy group stuck together despite song changes, but Howie Mandel says only one of them is a star

Spoilers ahead for episode 5 of America’s Got Talent Season 19.

As per usual, America’s Got Talent is packed with talented singers and musicians in Season 19, with artists like Dee Dee Simon featuring Dream Girls and – most recently – Golden Buzzer winner Pranysqa Mishra in particular. On the latest episode of the 2024 TV show on July 2, a boy band took to the stage with the goal of impressing Simon Cowell, aka the man behind One Direction. The results were mixed, though they made a better impression after Cowell insisted they swap songs as he usually does… but Howie Mandel’s comments indicated that he thinks only one of the five boys has star power, and it’s pretty brutal to watch.

The boy band is the latest incarnation of the Puerto Rican group Menudo, which traces its roots to the 1970s and once featured Ricky Martin. The five current members introduced themselves to Cowell on ACT like Ezra, Ale, Andrés, Gabriel and Nicolas. They didn’t really have a nostalgic history as a group, as they explained that they met at national auditions, but they selected a song called “Amnesia” to perform in Spanish in front of the judges.

That plan changed before they got too far into their song, as Cowell asked them to change the number and they sang “Feelin'” instead. After they were able to finish that number, they received feedback from the judges, with Howie Mandel breaking through the boos from the audience to say this:

That’s what I think. When these bands get together, and there’s nothing wrong with getting together. Simon formed One Direction. All these people came as individual artists, but in all honesty, it didn’t make me go, “Wow.” It didn’t grab me, but I think Nicolas is a star. It didn’t excite me, but I like Nicolas.

Now, while I’m all for the judges being honest, Howie Mandel’s comments definitely made standing on that stage pretty awkward for all five guys. Nicolas said “Thanks, Howie, I love you,” but it was uncomfortable because the other four had to stand there. Even host Terry Crews seemed to wince a little when the camera cut to him! Nicolas certainly showed the most personality during Menudo’s time on stage, but the comments were tough to watch.

The group received a “yes” from every judge except Howie Mandel, although Sofia Vergara suggested they still had a lot of work to do and Simon Cowell told them they would have to “change dramatically, dramatically” from when they first competed. ACT scene. If you missed the performance or just want to take a second look, check out the video below:

Simon Cowell Makes Boy Band Menudo Sing TWICE! | Auditions | AGT 2024 – YouTube

To watch

They did not receive enthusiastic support from everyone and will certainly not be on the list of Golden Buzzer winners who will become ACT The champions, even if they win, will likely return later in Season 19. Call me a millennial, but seeing the five youngsters each dressed to fit a boy band archetype reminded me of the Backstreet Boys’ ’90s heyday, especially when they first started harmonizing. Backstreet Boys-style success is undoubtedly still a long way off, if they can achieve it, and I just hope Howie Mandel’s comments don’t reflect negatively on them.

Stay tuned to NBC on Tuesdays at 8 p.m. ET for new episodes of America’s Got Talent Season 19, and/or next-day airing with a Peacock Premium subscription.